Established 1826

The Founder's Day
Dinner

Normal bookings for the 2026 Founder's Day Dinner have closed. The dinner waitlist is open, and registration for the CH Giving Day auction is still open. You can register just to bid without joining the dinner waitlist.

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the first known recording of these dinners — a particularly special occasion.

CH Giving Day auction

No dinner jacket? No problem.

You needn’t be at dinner to be in the bidding. Put the kettle on and give a fellow Old Blue a thoroughly polite run for their money. No dinner ticket is needed to register and bid, and every pound raised supports CH Giving Day.

See the whole auctionRegister to bid, no dinner needed

The benefits of registering

Registering does not commit you to purchasing a dinner ticket. Any Old Blue, or anyone associated with Christ’s Hospital, is welcome to create an account and bid in the auction—even if they are not attending the dinner.

You can set a maximum bid so you do not need to keep checking the latest price. If another bidder exceeds your maximum, we will notify you.

With thanks to our auction lot donors

Thank you to everyone who has generously donated a lot to the CH Giving Day auction. Your support helps raise funds for current and future Christ’s Hospital pupils.

Your attic called. It wants to make a difference.

A special find, a memorable experience, or a skill worth sharing? Give it a starring role in the auction and help support CH pupils.

Diana GarnhamGavin Bridgman

Latest updates

  • Book on CH Founder's Day Dinner now on sale — Ken Mansell’s history of the Dinner is available for £15 through the CH Museum. Book details ↗
  • The 2026 dinner menu is now confirmed — from Wild Mushroom & Autumn Squash Risotto to Autumn Fruit Pavlova, with vegetarian and vegan options available. View the menu ↗
  • Changing facilities available — facilities will be available at the school on the day, allowing afternoon attendees to change into black tie before the evening programme. Read the FAQs ↗
  • School Walking Tours — register by 17th October — guided tours run at 2:15 pm & 3:05 pm. Places are limited, so book early once registration opens. Full programme ↗
  • Day's programme now confirmed — museum viewings (book in advance via the Information Portal), chapel service, drinks reception (5:15 pm), dinner (6:00 pm), and the CH Giving Day auction. View timetable ↗
  • Minibus times confirmed — from Christ's Hospital station at 13:39, 14:10, 14:39, 15:10 & 15:39; return from outside the Court Room at 20:37, 21:07, 21:37 & 22:07. Travel details ↗

The 2026 Dinner

Date

Venue

Christ's Hospital
Horsham, West Sussex

Timings

5:15 pm

Drinks Reception

8:45–9:15 pm

Chief Steward's farewell

After dinner drinks

10:00 pm

Close

Dress Code

Black Tie

🚂

Something for everyone. The Chief Steward bids farewell between 8:45 and 9:15pm — leaving a civilised window to stroll to CH's station and be comfortably back at London Victoria well before 11pm. For those staying locally or simply not ready to leave, after dinner drinks carry the evening through to 10pm. No lost shoes, no pumpkins, no regrets.

The Dining Hall at Christ's HospitalA previous Founder's Day DinnerChrist's Hospital chapel and quadrangle

Ticket Prices

Concessionary prices are available to encourage attendance by younger Old Blues.

Old Blues over 30 & All Guests

Aged 30 and over

£100

Concession

Old Blues

Aged 26–29 inclusive

£80

Concession

Old Blues

Aged 25 and under

£60

A Legacy of Fellowship

Each year, on a date close to King Edward VI's birthday — 12th October — those connected with Christ's Hospital gather to celebrate our Royal Founder. Recorded continuously since 1826 — and almost certainly held before that — the dinner has been interrupted only by the two World Wars, a 1947 Government edict, and Covid — and on four occasions has moved to Horsham.

The dinner brings together Old Blues from all generations, alongside the Head, the Clerk and other representatives of the school, and is an occasion to honour those who have given exceptional service to CH or achieved distinction in the wider world.

Founder's Day Dinner

Old Blues of Christ's Hospital have gathered to dine on record since 1826 — and very likely before that — celebrating the birthday of King Edward VI and uniting generations of former pupils.

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Contact

For enquiries regarding the dinner, please contact the Stewards directly.

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© 2026 Christ's Hospital Founder's Day Dinner. All rights reserved.

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